DCM

Give a little at the end of this tax year 17 March 2015

Posted by: DCM

The past year has been one of great challenge and change for us at DCM.

In 2014, following a review of Mental Health services, Capital & Coast District Health Board made a number of significant changes to the way it delivers services to people with a mental health diagnosis and/or addiction. This resulted in the closure of day services/drop-in centres which were used regularly by DCM people and, despite the absence of funding, the DCM Board took a decision to pick up the service in the central city which was about to fall over and to pilot running it over a period of six months. We took this decision because of our concern that the closure of this service could seriously affect a group of vulnerable people, including people who are currently homeless and have multiple high needs.

In addition to this, for some time DCM has been working towards establishing a service hub which brings together organisations to co-locate in one building and work together to support, empower and enable people to make positive changes in their own lives. In 2015 we are seeing this vision become a reality in the form of Te Korowai nui o te whanau (“the large cloak that envelops the family”).

Te Korowai involves the co-location of various services including DCM’s current services, the new pilot service that we have named Te Hapai, two Te Aro Health Centre health rooms, a low cost dental service staffed by volunteer dentists, probation services, Atareira (a whanau mental health service) and Easy Access Housing. As we write this, our DCM team has just relocated to another part of our building in Lukes Lane, as the refurbishment of the building to support Te Korowai continues.

These are exciting times for us at DCM, but also times when despite no increase in funding and with existing funding sources up for review, we have had to step in and take on new challenges to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our city are not left unsupported. The support we receive from the people of Wellington is a very important part of everything we do; we are proud of the fact that one third of our funding comes from people like you who demonstrate your support for our work and your concern for the people we work with in such a tangible way.

Te Hapai means to lift up or elevate. Please consider giving a little to DCM as the end of this tax year approaches. Remember that for every $1 you donate, you can claim 33.33¢ as a tax deduction.

A very happy New Year from us all at DCM! 31 December 2014

Posted by: DCM

2014 was another busy year for DCM, with well over 800 individuals passing through our door. Being such a small team, we rely on a huge family of supporters, and we would like to thank you for your enduring interest and enthusiasm. Without you we wouldn't be able to offer the same level of support to those in Wellington who need us most.

To learn more about the important work DCM does every day, read our latest publication A Day in the Life of DCM - PDF available here:

Thanks for your support during the DCM Bookfair 2013 2 September 2013

Posted by: DCM

DCM works with the most vulnerable people in Wellington. When the earthquake struck on Friday 16 August, the outlook for DCM and the people who come to us for support was bleak. We were at the TSB Arena, setting up for the annual DCM Bookfair to begin the next morning. As our major fundraiser, the success of the Bookfair is critical to everything that we do. At the same time we had to immediately evacuate our offices in Lukes Lane; for the second time in a month, the organisation which supports the homeless found itself homeless. What followed is testament to the generous spirit of the community, and we are so grateful for the part that you, our donors, played in this. The Wellington City Council arranged for the TSB Arena to be checked immediately so that the DCM Bookfair could proceed and provided DCM with space in the WCC offices while our building was off limits; volunteers and politicians turned out in large numbers to make sure the Bookfair could go ahead, and the people of Wellington braved after-shocks and miserable weather to come and buy. Everyone played their part in helping us realise our vision - that gtogether we can end homelessness in Wellingtonh. We have this week been able to return to our premises in Lukes Lane. During such a difficult time for DCM and for the most vulnerable people in Wellington, what a difference it has made to know that so many people out there are behind us. So thank you!